KPLC staff, five others arrested in crackdown on illegal lines

Nairobi, May 8, 2017…….Six people, among them a Kenya Power employee, were arrested in various parts of the country over the weekend as the Company enhanced crackdown on illegal lines and theft of power distribution equipment.

Michael Mbugua, a staff based at the Dagoretti-Karen Depot was arrested in connection with theft of street lights on Friday. He will appear in court today and will be charged jointly with another staff who already appeared in court for a similar offence.

The other five suspects; Dan Muchiri, Pietrino Obonyo Orina, Derick Kisiomi, Paul Otieno Ogocho and James Victor Otieno were arrested in Athi River, Sabaki and Migori for constructing illegal lines in these areas.

Poles, conductors and a pair of climbing iron were recovered during the various operations in which the suspects were nabbed.

Elsewhere in Machakos County, eight prepaid meters, 1,400 metres of aluminium conductors, 7 service cables and six strut poles were recovered during an operation conducted on illegal lines at Ngelani and Kisekini villages.

The arrests come less than two weeks after a student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) was arrested and charged at a Thika Court for conning unsuspecting members of the public using fake electricity tokens.

Prior to his arrest, Simon Gitau Kimani, a first year student at the university’s main campus, had been running advertisements on social media purporting to be selling ‘fairly’ priced KPLC tokens.

Constructing illegal lines and stealing electricity distribution equipment undermines the quality of power supply to customers in addition to posing the risk of electrocution to those involved and others. These offences are punishable under the law.

Members of the public are advised not to enter into any transaction regarding electricity connection with unauthorized persons and report any suspicious activities to Kenya Power offices or Police.

The Company will continue carrying out surveillance on the distribution network and all those found culpable will be arrested and charged in court.